Since this hot weather has hit S. Jersey I have not heard or detected squirrel activity in my attic for a few weeks. This week I have been home every day and I have heard nothing. Is it possible they could not take the heat and they exited for a while?

I think the squirrels have been getting in through my soffit vents that are currently capped. I have a contractor coming out shortly to remove the capping and seal up the soffit vents with hardware cloth. I am debating if I should leave the capping off and plug one of the entry points with paper to make sure 100% that they are out or just seal it all up with hardware cloth. What would you suggest?